Rebellion? We only wanted afternoons off, claim Manchester City slackers

The real reason behind the players' rebellion at Manchester City against new manager Roberto Mancini has been revealed – they wanted to have the afternoons off.

Several members of City's £200million squad, used to being able to do the school run under former boss Mark Hughes, were left seething when Mancini ordered training to start later and to include afternoon sessions.

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Defender Micah Richards, who has written off his own chances of going to the World Cup, explained how the change in philosophy at Eastlands under Mancini had caused friction, while stressing the problems were now sorted out as City continue their chase for a Champions League spot at Sunderland this afternoon.

The Mail on Sunday revealed there was open discontent at Mancini's working methods and Richards said: 'When he first came in, it was a lot different to how Mark Hughes used to work.

'Some of the lads liked to come in at 9am and get training over and done with. Mancini likes us to train in the afternoons because you can get more rest. That is the reason he does it.

'It's been a case of getting used to the stuff he likes to do. The boys just get on with it now and everyone's happy.'

New methods: Mancini

The 4-2 win over Chelsea two weeks ago has helped Mancini win over the sceptics who felt Hughes was dismissed unfairly after losing only twice in 21 matches.

'People say we've gone a bit boring now but we are conceding fewer goals and looking at that fourth spot now,' added Richards.

'We look a bit more organised all over the park and the defence is getting more help from the midfielders.'

Richards, 21, has returned to top form after a couple of years in the wilderness at City but accepts his World Cup hopes are over after failing to be picked for his country under Fabio Capello.

'My form has picked up from last season but I don't see any hope for the World Cup,' said Richards, who has been stuck with the Under-21s since his England game against Croatia under Steve McClaren and is now even behind veteran Gary Neville in the pecking order.

'The manager only took one right-back in the last squad and now Glen Johnson is fit again and James Milner can be drafted in as a defender.

'It's definitely frustrating. I am devastated every time the full squad is named and I'm not in it.

'I should be in there, but that's not down to me and I have to keep working hard and it'll come if I keep working hard. He is the boss and makes the final decisions.'

Mancini's hopes of staying as City manager depend on finishing in fourth spot ahead of Tottenham, Liverpool and Aston Villa.